Soba Noodles
Japanese noodles
A bowl of udon noodles
Noodles are a popular item and one of the main staples in Japanese cuisine. Many types are either served chilled with dipping sauces in the hot summer months and in soups ot hot dishes during the cooler and winter months. Varieties include:
Ramen – thin, wheat-based noodles made from wheat flour, salt, water, and Kansui (a type of mineral water) or eggs. The dough is set to rise before being pulled. These Japanese noodles were originally imported from China, as a noodle soup, during the Meiji Period. Since then it has been integrated into several Japanese dishes, thousands of Japanese restaurants specializing in ramen have opened, instant ramen was invented, and dishes containing the noodle have grown in popularity around the world. Instant ramen has become especially popular in the United States and Mexico. Ramen noodles have a firm texture and are usually yellowish color. These noodles vary in shape, width, and length. They are often served in a meat or fish based broth although since they are widely popular, there are a great variety of dishes containing ramen noodles. Some examples of ramen dishes are: Sapporo ramen, Miso ramen, Kitakara ramen, Shio ramen, Tonkotsu ramen, and Shoyu ramen.
Shirataki – Known as the “white waterfall” these clear Japanese noodles are made from the root of Amorphophallus Konjac (aka Devil’s Tongue plant), or from a similar plant. The roots are processed into a gelatin, Konnyaku, from which the noodles are made. These noodles are often described as chewy or rubbery. shirataki noodles have a high nutritious value. These noodles contain high amounts of the fiber Glucomannan and are low in carbohydrates and low in calories. As a result of this, these noodles have recently becoming popular among dieters in the west. However shirataki noodles have been used in traditional Japanese cooking for many years to add texture to sukiyaki and oden, winter stews.
Soba – A medium width native Japanese noodle made from buckwheat flour (soba-ko) and wheat flour. Like pastas, soba noodles are available in dried form although they taste better when made fresh from flour and water. These noodles are served in a variety of Japanese dishes and they may be served hot or cold with dipping sauce. Some examples of soba dishes are: Zaru and Mori soba (chilled), Kake soba, Tempura soba, Kitsune soba, and Tororo soba. Although the popular Japanese dish Yakisoba includes “soba” in its name, the dish is actually made with Chinese style noodles (chkamen).
Smen – Smen noodles are a very thin, white, wheat-based noodle. They are usually served chilled in the summertime with dipping sauces although they may be used in soups and other hot dishes. Smen noodles are very similar to hiymugi and udon noodles, only they are much thinner (about 1.3mm in width). During the summer months many Japanese consume large amounts of chilled smen to stay cool.
Hiyamugi – Hiyamugi noodles are wheat flour noodle similar to smen and udon noodles and somewhere in between the two in size. These noodles are often served in the same manner as smen and udon noodles. While they are mostly white it is not unusual to find bundles mixed with noodles of pinkish or brown hues.
Udon – The thickest of the noodles served in Japanese Cuisine. Udon are white, wheat-based noodles, that are 4-6mm in width. These noodles are served chilled with dipping sauce in the summer months or in hot dishes and soups when the temperature is cooler.
Some examples of udon dishes are: Kitsune udon, Nabeyaki udon, Curry udon, Bukkake udon, and Yaki udon.
See also
Yakisoba, a popular noodle dish
Champon, a noodle soup of Chinese origin
Instant noodles
Cup noodles
Sapporo Ichiban
Chinese noodles
Korean noodles
References
^ a b Sakui, S. (2009, July 1st). Somen: Chilled, the Japanese Noodles are a Summer Delight. Los Angles Times. Retrieved January 9th, 2010
^ Ramen (2008, May 31st) Ramen. Japan-guide.com. Retrieved Januaury 10th, 2010
^ Ohnuma, K. (2007, April 25th) Shirataki Stirs Craving in West. Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved January 9th, 2010
^ Soba Noodles (2003, January 27th) Soba Noodles. Japan-guide.com Retrieved January 9th, 2010
^ Tatum (2003). What are Hiyamugi Noodles. Conjecture Corporation. Retrieved January 9th, 2010
Categories: Japanese noodles | NoodlesHidden categories: Articles lacking sources from December 2009 | All articles lacking sources
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